005232   AISHWARYA B, PRITHI NAIR K (Microbiology Dep, Government Medical Coll, Thrissur- 680 751, Email: aishwaryabkk@gmail.com) : Aerobic bacterial profile and antibiotic susceptibility pattern of chronic suppurative otitis media in a Tertiary Care Centre in Kerala. J Evolution Med Dent Sci 2019, 8(35), 2713-8.

Chronic suppurative otitis media is a notorious middle ear infection in the developing countries which if left untreated can lead to serious intra and extracranial complications. We wanted to identify the bacterial pathogens causing CSOM and to determine their antibiotic susceptibility pattern. The in-patients & out-patients from the Department of E.N.T. over a period of one year were recruited and evaluated in the study. Ear swabs collected from the 135 clinically diagnosed cases of CSOM were processed in the microbiology laboratory. The bacterial isolates were identified, and their antibiotic susceptibility testing was done. Bacterial growth was obtained from 100 out of the 135 samples of which 37.5 % of the isolates were Pseudomonas aeruginosa, 21.5 % Staphylococcus aureus, 5.9 % Klebsiella pneumoniae, 3.7 % Escherichia coli etc. Maximum antibiotic resistance was observed towards Ciprofloxacin, Gentamicin and Ceftazidime in Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Among the multi-drug resistant Gram-negative isolates, 20 were Extended Spectrum Beta Lactamase producers, 10 were AmpC beta lactamase producers and 10 were Metallo Beta Lactamase producers. The bacterial isolates were found to be highly resistant to fluroquinolones and aminoglycosides, the most commonly used topical antibiotics for CSOM, in this study. Culture and antibiotic susceptibility testing of the bacterial isolates are therefore essential to help clinicians in better management of the cases and reduce the emergence of antibiotic resistant strains.

21 ref

005259   GAJBHIYE S B, GEDAM D S, MADKEY M V, MESHRAM A N (Microbiology Dep, Government Medical Coll, Gondia, Maharashtra, Email: swatilade2306@gmail.com) : Study of antibiotic prescribing pattern among hospitalized patients with systemic bacterial infection in a Tertiary Care Hospital of Central India. J Cont Med Dent 2019, 7(3), 8-14.

The aim of the present study was to perform a systematic and comprehensive assessment of antibiotic use practice in hospitalized patients with systemic bacterial infections to identify institutional targets for better antibiotic and health care resource stewardship. It was institution based prospective observational study conducted from October 2018 to April 2019. Patients with suspected systemic bacterial infections during this period were strictly followed and data was abstracted using data abstraction format. Nearly 40 % (278/695) of patients had suspected bacterial infection during admission. Pneumonia (48 %, 133/278) was the most common. Among 503 antibiotics prescribed; Cephalosporins (38.4.%, 140/364) was most commonly used in wards and Piperacillin+Tazobactum (17.9 %,25/139), Cefoperazone+Sulbactum (14.3 %, 20/139) were most widely prescribed fixed dose combination (FDC) in ICU. Overall rationality of antibiotics administered was 56.8 % and 59.3 % antibiotics were found appropriate with indication, 59.3 % with duration, 59.07 % with dose and 56.31 % with frequency. Empiric antibiotic therapy was initiated in 94.6 % (229/242) ward and all (36/36) ICU patients while culture sensitivity was conducted for only 23 % (64). Appropriate escalation in 27 % and de-escaltion in 8.3 % to culture sensitivity reports. Antibiotics were not changed in large proportion of cases i.e. in 52 % cases. No discontinuation of empiric therapy was performed for negative culture reports considered inappropriate. Judicious antimicrobial use through educational and antimicrobial stewardship programs remains critical to control the spread of antibiotic resistance.

2 tables, 27 ref

005342   VENKATESH V, MENDEZ D C, RAJSHEKAR T S, BALAKRISHNA S (Cell Biology & Molecular Genetics Dep, Sri Devaraj Urs Academy of Higher Education and Research, Kolar- 563 103, Email: sbk.sharath@gmail.com) : Molecular factors in the development of vitiligo. J Clin Biomed Sci 2019, 9(3), 61-8.

Vitiligo is a chronic autoimmune disease, caused due to selective destruction of melanocytes. It is characterized by depigmentation of skin. The mechanisms that underlie this phenomenon has not been clearly understood. Therefore, the aim of this review was to collate all the emerging information regarding the involvement of molecular components in vitiligo pathogenesis. Initial surveys suggested that certain chemicals were responsible for causing this skin disease. Recent genetic studies like twin studies show that vitiligo arises due to hereditary factors. Certain predisposing risk variants have been identified through candidate gene studies and Genome-Wide Association Studies (GWAS). Skin biopsies and peripheral blood of vitiligo patients have revealed the presence of melanocyte targeting autoantibodies, increased T-cells and high levels of inflammatory cytokines, indicating that both humoral and cellular immunities play a major role in selective destruction of melanocytes. In addition to this, studies have shown the association of vitiligo with other autoimmune diseases, implicating that complications of other autoimmune diseases could lead to the development of vitiligo. Further research is required to understand the immune pathway of vitiligo and its commonness with other autoimmune disorders. This would help in tackling the disease therapeutically.

3 tables, 68 ref

005233   AL -ZAHRANI S M, OMAR U M, RAHIMULDDIN S A, AL-GHAFARI A B, ALDAHLAWI A M, AL-DOGHAITHER H A (Biochemistry Dep, Abdulaziz Univ, Jeddah- 21472, Email: haldoghaither@kau.edu.sa) : Antiproliferative and apoptotic effects of the natural alkaline water (Zamzam) in breast cancer cell line MCF-7. J Can Res Ther 2019, 15(5), 1098-104.

Zamzam water (ZW) is a natural alkaline water that contains several minerals that may represent a powerful tool for cancer therapy. In this research, in vitro antiproliferative and apoptotic effects of ZW were investigated in the human breast cancer cell line MCF-7. This study was conducted between January 2015 and February 2016. The effects of ZW on the morphology and the cell viability of human breast cancer cell line MCF‑7 were determined. The cell death type and cell cycle changes were investigated using flow cytometry. Finally, reactive oxygen species (ROS) were also measured by fluorometric technique. MCF‑7 cells treated with either ZW with adjusted pH at 7.2 or unadjusted pH at 8 showed reduced cell viability of cancerous cells. The cell death occurred through the apoptosis pathway under both treatment conditions. The treated MCF‑7 cells were arrested in the G2/M phase and decreased in the G1 phase. Only the unadjusted pH ZW sample demonstrated an increase in the production of both cytoplasmic and mitochondrial ROS in MCF‑7 cells. All the results in the present study indicated, for the first time, that ZW might have anticancer and apoptotic effects on breast cancer cell line.

5 illus, 35 ref

005330   SOLEIMANPOUR E, BABAEI E, HOSSEINPOUR-FEIZI M-A, MONTAZERI V (Animal Biology Dep, Tabriz Univ, Tabriz, Iran, Email: pourfeizi@ eastp.ir) : Circulating miR-21 and miR-155 as potential noninvasive biomarkers in Iranian Azeri patients with breast carcinoma. J Can Res Ther 2019, 15(5), 1092-7.

Breast cancer (BC) is the most common cause of cancer‑related mortality among women. Despite recent advances in diagnosis and prognosis of breast carcinomas, noninvasive biomarkers have been poorly identified. We evaluated the biomarker potential of miR‑21 and miR‑155 in tissue and plasma specimens of Iranian Azeri patients. Tumor specimens, paired nontumoral adjacent tissues, and matched plasma samples were collected from a number of thirty Iranian Azeri women with breast carcinoma. Plasma of healthy women was used as the control. The relative expression of miR‑21 and miR‑155 was measured by real‑time polymerase chain reaction. Our data revealed that the expression levels of miR‑21 and miR‑155 in tumor tissues are significantly higher than paired nontumoral adjacent specimens (P < 0.05). Furthermore, receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis of samples showed the area under the ROC curve of 0.81 for miR‑21 and area of 0.83 for miR‑155. In addition, statistical analysis showed that miR‑21 and miR‑155 RNAs are significantly detected in the plasma of BC patients compared to healthy specimens (P < 0.05). Circulating miRNAs yielded area under the ROC curve of 0.99 for miR‑21 and 0.92 for miR‑155. Our data showed that miR‑21 and miR‑155 oncomiRs can be considered as noninvasive biomarkers for monitoring breast carcinomas. However, further investigations are needed to confirm the use of these noncoding RNAs in pathology.

2 illus, 1 table, 56 ref

005253   DIVYABHANUSINH, KAZMI R (Suryodaya 310 GOM Defence Colony, Jaipur- 302 021) : Asiatic cheetah Acinonyx jubatus Venaticus in India: A chronology of extinction and related report. J Bombay Nat Hist Soc 2019, 116, 22-43.

The cheetah in India has been recorded in history from before the Common Era onwards. It was taken from the wild for coursing blackbuck for centuries, which went towards its depleting numbers through the ages. From the 16th century onwards, detailed records of its interaction with human beings became available as it was recorded by the Mughals and other kingdoms in the Deccan. However, the final phase of its extinction coincided with the British Imperial rule, and the British added to the woes of the animal. Its extinction became inevitable and this paper records the process extensively. The last cheetahs were shot in India in 1947, however, credible reports continued to be recorded from the Indian subcontinent up to the 1990s. This paper also records other related matters, such as a black cheetah, a cheetah attack on a human being, and cheetah material available in India.

142 ref

005340   TRIVEDI V, DAL P (Biosciences Dep, Saurashtra Univ, Rajkot- 360 005) : Occurrence, distribution and description of Loxosceles rufescens (Dufour, 1820) (Araneae: Sicariidae) from Western India. J Bombay Nat Hist Soc 2019, 116, 1-8.

Loxosceles rufescens (Dufour, 1820), commonly known as the circum-Mediterranean spider, is medium-sized (7–8 mm), light to medium brownish with long and slender legs; its bite is mildly harmful to humans. L. rufescens is a relatively cosmopolitan, synanthropic species with mildly toxic venom which can occasionally cause dermatological injuries in humans. Its native range covers the Mediterranean Basin and Near East. The present communication highlights the biological identity, habitat preference, and distribution of L. rufescens in Western India. Spider diversity survey was carried out from July to December 2015, and October 2016 to February 2017. The population of L. rufescens largely (N = 51) occurred in residential and University-PG Department buildings in Kathiawar (districts Amreli and Rajkot), Gujarat, Western India. In these buildings, its microhabitats included corners of walls, storage boxes of books, unused wooden and steel cupboards and their crevices, with irregular webs, typically in close association with Common Indian Black Ant and Common Indian Large Ant.

35 ref

005305   PERNU T K, HELANTERA H (Helsink Univ, Helsinki, Finland, Email: tuomas.pernu@helsinki.fi) : Genetic relatedness and its causal role in the evolution of insect societies. J Biosci 2019, 44(4), 107.

The role of genetic relatedness in social evolution has recently come under critical attention. These arguments are here critically analyzed, both theoretically and empirically. It is argued that when the conceptual structure of the theory of natural selection is carefully taken into account, genetic relatedness can be seen to play an indispensable role in the evolution of both facultative and advanced eusociality. Although reviewing the empirical evidence concerning the evolution of eusociality reveals that relatedness does not play a role in the initial appearance of helper phenotypes, this follows simply from the fact that natural selection – of which relatedness is a necessary component – does not play a causal role in the origin of any traits. Further, separating two logically distinct elements of causal explanation – necessity and sufficiency – explains why the debate lingers on: although relatedness plays a necessary role in the evolution of helping and advanced eusociality, relatedness alone is not sufficient for their appearance. Therefore, if the relatedness variable in a given data set is held at a uniformly high value, then it indeed may turn out that other factors occupy a more prominent role. However, this does not change the fact that high relatedness functions as a necessary background condition for the evolution of advanced eusociality.

2 illus, 71 ref

005323   SARKAR D, SAHA S (Bioinformatics Div, Bose Institute, Kolkata, West Bengal, Email: ssaha4@jcbose.ac.in) : Machine-learning techniques for the prediction of protein–protein interactions. J Biosci 2019, 44(4), 104.

Protein–protein interactions (PPIs) are important for the study of protein functions and pathways involved in different biological processes, as well as for understanding the cause and progression of diseases. Several high-throughput experimental techniques have been employed for the identification of PPIs in a few model organisms, but still, there is a huge gap in identifying all possible binary PPIs in an organism. Therefore, PPI prediction using machine-learning algorithms has been used in conjunction with experimental methods for discovery of novel protein interactions. The two most popular supervised machine-learning techniques used in the prediction of PPIs are support vector machines and random forest classifiers. Bayesian-probabilistic inference has also been used but mainly for the scoring of high-throughput PPI dataset confidence measures. Recently, deep-learning algorithms have been used for sequence-based prediction of PPIs. Several clustering methods such as hierarchical and k-means are useful as unsupervised machine-learning algorithms for the prediction of interacting protein pairs without explicit data labelling. In summary, machine-learning techniques have been widely used for the prediction of PPIs thus allowing experimental researchers to study cellular PPI networks.

1 illus, 6 tables, 106 ref

005282   MADZUKI I N, LAU S F, SHALAN N A A M, ISHAK N I M, MOHAMED S (Putra Malaysia Univ, Serdang, Malaysia) : Does cartilage ERα overexpression correlate with osteoarthritic chondrosenescence? Indications from Labisia pumila OA mitigation. J Biosci 2019, 44(4), 100.

Chondrosenescence (chondrocyte senescence) and subchondral bone deterioration in osteoarthritic rats were analyzed after treatment with the estrogenic herb Labisia pumila (LP) or diclofenac. Osteoarthritis (OA) was induced in bilaterally ovariectomized (OVX) rats by injecting mono-iodoacetate into the right knee joints. Rats were grouped (n = 8) into nontreated OVX+OA control, OVX+OA + diclofenac (5 mg/kg) (positive control), OVX + OA + LP leaf extract (150 and 300 mg/kg) and healthy sham control. After 8 weeks’ treatment, their conditions were evaluated via serum biomarkers, knee joint histology, bone histomorphometry, protein and mRNA expressions. The LP significantly reduced cartilage erosion, femur bone surface alteration, bone loss and porosity and increased trabecular bone thickness better than diclofenac and the non-treated OA. The cartilage catabolic markers’ (matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-13, RUNX2, COL10α, ERα, CASP3 and HIF-2α) mRNA expressions were down-regulated and serum bone formation marker, PINP, was increased by LP in a dose-dependent manner. The LP (containing myricetin and gallic acid) showed protection against chondrosenescence, chondrocyte death, hypoxia-induced cartilage catabolism and subchondral bone deterioration. The bone and cartilage protective effects were by suppressing proteases (collagen break-down), bone resorption and upregulating subchondral bone restoration. The cartilage ERa over-expression showed a strong positive correlation with MMP-13, COL10a1, histological, micro-computed tomography evidence for cartilage degradation and chondrosenescence.

6 illus, 47 ref

005277   KANDASWAMY R, RAMASAMY M K, PALANIVEL R, BALASUNDARAM U (Genetic Engineering Dep, SRM Institute of Science and Technology, Tamil Nadu- 603 203, Email: sundaram.usha@gmail.com) : Impact of Pseudomonas putida RRF3 on the root transcriptome of rice plants: Insights into defense response, secondary metabolism and root exudation. J Biosci 2019, 44(4), 98.

Pseudomonas putida is widely used as a biocontrol agent, however, mechanisms by which it initiates the plants’ defense response remains obscure. To gain an insight into the molecular changes that occur in plants upon plant growth-promoting rhizobacteria colonization, root transcriptome analysis by using a microarray was performed in rice using P. putida RRF3 (a rice rhizosphere isolate). Data analysis revealed a differential regulation of 61 transcripts (48 h post-treatment), of which, majority corresponded to defense response, cell wall modification and secondary metabolism. Seven genes encoding salicylic acid (SA) responsive pathogenesis-related proteins were up-regulated significantly (fold change ranges from 1 to 4), which suggests that RRF3 has a profound impact on a SA-mediated defense signaling mechanism in rice. Investigations performed at later stages of RRF3 colonization by real-time polymerase chain reaction and high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) analysis confirmed the above results, demonstrating RRF3 as a potent biocontrol agent. Further, the impact of RRF3 colonization on root exudation, in particular, exudation of SA was investigated by HPLC. However, analysis revealed RRF3 to have a negative impact on root exudation of SA. Overall, this study shows that P. putida RRF3 immunizes the rice plants by re-organizing the root transcriptome to stimulate plant defense responses (‘priming’), and simultaneously protects itself from the primed plants by altering the rhizosphere chemical constituents.

6 illus, 56 ref

005312   RANA S, SULTANA A, BHATTI A A (Karachi Univ, Karachi- 75270, Pakistan, Email: molecularbiologist1@gmail.com) : Association of BDNF rs6265 and MC4R rs17782313 with metabolic syndrome in Pakistanis. J Biosci 2019, 44(4), 95.

The current case–control study sought the association of BDNF rs6265 and MC4R rs17782313 with metabolic syndrome (MetS), MetS components and other related metabolic parameters in a sample of Pakistani subjects. Fasting high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and homeostatic model assessment of insulin sensitivity showed a significantly lower mean whereas body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP), fasting blood glucose, insulin, total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, very-low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, triglycerides (TG), cholesterol to HDL-C ratio, TG to HDL-C ratio, homeostatic model assessment of insulin resistance, visceral adiposity index, lipid accumulation product and the product of TG and glucose showed a significantly higher mean in the presence of MetS. Reduced HDL-C appeared as the most frequent and hypertriglyceridemia as the least frequent component of MetS whereas clustering of reduced HDL-C  abdominal obesity (AO) + hyperglycemia appeared as the most prevalent combination of MetS components. Moreover, BDNF rs6265 showed BMI and gender independent association with increased risk of MetS in Pakistani individuals whereas MC4R rs17782313 showed BMI and gender dependent association with increased risk of MetS in Pakistani females. In addition, BDNF rs6265 and MC4R rs17782313 showed gender-dependent associations with decreased risk of having low HDL-C in males and increased risk of having abdominal obesity in females, respectively. However, no association was observed for metabolic variables other than components of MetS across genotypes of both BDNF rs6265 and MC4R rs17782313.

1 illus, 4 tables, 54 ref

005248   CRUZ M D, KIM K (Missouri State Univ, MO- 65897, Email: Kkim@missouristate.edu) : The inner workings of intracellular heterotypic and homotypic membrane fusion mechanisms. J Biosci 2019, 44(4), 91.

Intracellular trafficking is a field that has been intensively studied for years and yet there remains much to be learned. Part of the reason that there is so much obscurity remaining in this field is due to all the pathways and the stages that define cellular trafficking. One of the major steps in cellular trafficking is fusion. Fusion is defined as the terminal step that occurs when a cargo-laden vesicle arrives at the proper destination. There are two types of fusion within a cell: homotypic and heterotypic fusion. Homotypic fusion occurs when the two membranes merging together are of the same type such as vacuole to vacuole fusion. Heterotypic fusion occurs when the two membranes at play are of different types such as when an endosomal membrane fuses with a Golgi membrane. In this review, we will focus on all the protein components – Rabs, Golgins, Multisubunit tethers, GTPases, protein phosphatases and SNAREs – that have been known to function in both of these types of fusion. We hope to develop a model of how all of these constituents function together to achieve membrane fusion. Membrane fusion is a biological process absolutely necessary for proper intracellular trafficking. Due to the degree of importance multiple proteins are required for it to be properly carried through. Whether we are talking about heterotypic or homotypic fusion, any defects in the fusion machinery can result in disease states such as Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease. Although much research has significantly expanded our knowledge of fusion, there is still much more to be learned.

6 illus, 1 table, 88 ref

005270   HEMMADI V, DAS A, CHOUHAN O P, BISWAS S, BISWAS M (Biological Sciences Dep, BITS Pilani, Goa- 403 726, Email: mbiswas@goa.bits-pilani.ac.in) : Effect of ions and inhibitors on the catalytic activity and structural stability of S. aureus enolase. J Biosci 2019, 44(4), 90.

The glycolytic enzyme enolase of Staphylococcus aureus is a highly conserved enzyme which binds to human plasminogen thereby aiding the infection process. The cloning, over expression and purification of S. aureus enolase as well as the effect of various metals upon the catalytic activity and structural stability of the enzyme have been reported. The recombinant enzyme (rSaeno) has been purified to homogeneity in abundant amounts (60 mg/L of culture) and the kinetic parameters (K_m = 0.23 ± 0.013 9 10^-3 M; Vmax = 90.98 ± 0.00052 U/mg) and the optimum pH were calculated. This communication further reports that increasing concentrations of Na⁺ ions inhibit the enzyme while increasing concentrations of K⁺ ions were stimulatory. In case of divalent cations, it was found that Mg²⁺ stimulates the activity of rSaeno while the rest of the divalent cations (Zn²⁺, Mn²⁺, Fe²⁺, Cu²⁺, Ni²⁺ and Ca²⁺) lead to a dose-dependent loss in the activity with a total loss of activity in the presence of Hg²⁺ and Cr²⁺. The circular dichroism data indicate that other than Hg²⁺, Ni²⁺ and to a certain extent Cu²⁺, none of the other ions destabilized rSaeno. The inhibitory roles of fluorides, as well as neurotoxic compounds upon the catalytic activity of rSaeno, have also been studied. Conformational changes in rSaeno (induced by ions) were studied using partial trypsin digestion.

10 illus, 5 tables, 40 ref

005247   COCKOVA Z, UJCIKOVA H, TELENSKY P, NOVOTNYJ (Physiology Dep, Charles Univ, Prague, Czech Republic, Email: jiri.novotny@natur.cuni.cz) : Protein profiling of SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells: The effect of rhein. J Biosci 2019, 44(4), 88.

4,5-Dihydroxyanthraquinone-2-carboxylic acid (Rhein) has been shown to have various physiological and pharmacological properties including anticancer activity and modulatory effects on bioenergetics. In this study, we explored the impact of rhein on protein profiling of undifferentiated (UC) and differentiated (DC) SH-SY5Y cells. Besides that, the cellular morphology and expression of differentiation markers were investigated to determine the effect of rhein on retinoic acidinduced neuronal cell differentiation. Using two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and matrix-assisted laser desorption/ ionization-time-of-flight mass spectrometry we evaluated the changes in the proteome of both UC and DC SH-SY5Y cells after 24 h treatment with rhein. Validation of selected differentially expressed proteins and the assessment of neuronal differentiation markers were performed by western blotting. Proteomic analysis revealed significant changes in the abundance of 15 proteins linked to specific cellular processes such as cytoskeleton structure and regulation, mitochondrial function, energy metabolism, protein synthesis and neuronal plasticity. We also observed that the addition of rhein to the cultured cells during differentiation resulted in a significantly reduced neurite outgrowth and decreased expression of neuronal markers. These results indicate that rhein may strongly interfere with the differentiation process of SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells and is capable of inducing marked proteomic changes in these cells.

5 illus, 6 tables, 91 ref

005344   WU X, CHEN H, ZHANG G, WU J, ZHU W, GU Y, HE Y (Urology Dep, First Hospital of Jiaxing, Zhejiang Province, People’s Republic of China, Email: yihe_YH34@126.com) : MiR-212-3p inhibits cell proliferation and promotes apoptosis by targeting nuclear factor IA in bladder cancer. J Biosci 2019, 44(4), 80.

Accumulating evidence suggest that microRNAs play crucial roles in the development and progression of bladder cancer (BC). Here, we found that miR-212-3p was significantly down-regulated and negatively correlated with nuclear factor IA (NFIA) in human BC tissues. Bioinformatics analysis predicted that NFIA was a target gene of miR-212-3p. Then BC cell lines, T24 and J82 cells were transfected with miR-212-3p mimics or siNFIA to obtain miR-212-3p overexpression or NFIA knockdown cell lines, respectively. Quantitative real-time PCR was used to determine the expression of miR-212-3p and NFIA. Western blot analysis was utilized to detect NFIA expression. MTT assay showed either miR-212-3 overexpression or NFIA knockdown significantly inhibited the BC cell proliferation. Double staining with Annexin V-APC and 7-AAD showed the total number of apoptotic BC cells were remarkably increased after miR-212-3p overexpression or NFIA knockdown. Collectively, our results indicated that miR-212-3p targeting NFIA might serve as a promising target for BC.

4 illus, 1 table, 29 ref

005327   SIAL N K, SATAPATHY D, KUND G C, PATRA S K, NANDA S, MISRA S K (Aquaculture P.G. Dep, Fisheries Coll, Berhampur- 760 007, Email: nabakishor12@yahoo.com) : Seasonal abundance and distribution of plankton in relation to water qualities in Gopalpur creek, East Coast of India. J Appl Zool Res 2019, 30(1), 83-90.

Gopalpur creek is a tidal inlet representing a typical backwater biotope in the Gopalpur on sea, coastal area of southern coast of Odisha. In the present investigation a total of 72 species of phytoplankton were recorded comprising 55 species of Diatoms, 10 species of Dinoflagellates, 4 species of Green Algae, 2 species of Cyanobacteria and only one species of Coccolithophore. Further, a total 16 groups of Zooplankton i.e. Anomuran Larvae, Appendicularians, Brachyuran, Chaetognaths, Cladocderans and Ostracods, Copepods, Euphausids and Isopods, Fish eggs and larvae, Foraminifera, Gastropod larvae ,Lamellibranchiate larvae, Medusa, Megalopa and Zoea ,Mysids , Polychaetes, Siphonophores and Ctenophores were recorded with minor fluctuations in percentage composition. Water temperature in the creek recorded fluctuation between 21 ^oC and 33.6 ^oC, water pH between 8.1 and 8.5, water salinity between 17.0 and 24.6 ppt. and dissolved oxygen from 4.7 and 7.0 ppm. The interrelationships of phytoplankton, zooplankton and water parameters are discussed in the paper.

1 illus, 4 tables, 19 ref

005289   MISRA S S (Entomology & Nematology Div, ICAR- Central Potato Research Institute, Shimla- 171 001, Email: s.smisra@rediffmail.com) : Potato: Quality seed production technologies through vector management in the northern plains of India. J Appl Zool Res 2019, 30(1), 1-12.

This deals with the origin of Potato, Solanum tuberosum Linn. - God’s gift to the mankind; its importance as support to people across diverse cultures during war and peace and also help in reducing the calamities of famine; important insect & mite pests damaging this ubiquitous crop ; a brief history of potato research in India; pre-requisites for locating areas suitable for healthy seed production and healthy (virus free) seed production technologies for helping the farming community of northern plains so that they could grow their own seed potato crop and successfully curtail the cost of production by saving the cost up to 50% spent in the purchase and transportation of seed potatoes from distant places.

8 ref

005337   TEKE A N, KINGE T R, BECHEM E E T, NDAM L M, MIH A M (Biological Sciences Dep, Bamenda Univ, North West Region, Cameroon, Email: rosemary32us@yahoo.com) : Mushroom species richness, distribution and substrate specificity in the Kilum-Ijim forest reserve of Cameroon. J Appl Biosci 2019, 133, 13592-617.

Mushroom species richness, distribution and substrate specificity are essential considerations for conservation and management of forest ecosystems. In this study in the Kilum-Ijim mountain forest, mushroom species richness, distribution and substrate specificity was evaluated. Fixed size plot method, opportunistic and downed wood sampling methods according to Mueller et al. (2004) was used for mushroom survey in 2015 in five sites in the Kilum-Ijim forest. The number of species, diversity in each site as well as substrate and morphotypes were recorded and calculated. A total of 393 macrofungi samples were collected. Highest collection (135) was recorded in September while January registered the least (22). Plantlife Sanctuary Oku recorded the highest number of macrofungal (109) while the least (44) was recorded in Anyajua community forest. Macrofungi were found on five varying substrates and ten different morphological forms of macrofungal were recorded. Mushrooms species richness differed in the five sites surveyed in the Kilum-Ijim forest. Podoscypha petalodes had the highest number of species across all the five sites followed by Coprinus fissolanatus, Polyporus dictopus, Favolachia calocera and Xylaria sp. The Agaricaceae and Polyporaceae were the most abundant family. Majority of the mushroom species were found on dead wood substrate and few on dung and standing tree substrates. The result on species richness, distribution and substrate specificity of mushrooms widens the knowledge on mycodiversity and substrate relationship which is an important factor for conservation and utilization as well as for the sustainable forest ecosystem management. Also, the result projects the importance of geographic location of substrates on the distribution of mushrooms which is of immense value for conservation. There is variation in the substrate preferred by mushrooms and likely this factor influences the extent of occurrence and nutritional content.

3 illus, 8 tables, 42 ref

005295   OUOBA A, ZIDA E P, SOALLA R W, BANGRATZ M, ESSOWE P, KONATE M N, NANDKANGRE H, OUEDRAOGO M, SAWADOGO M (Ouaga I Pr Joseph Ki-Zerbo Univ, Ouagadougou- 03) : Molecular characterization of the main fungi associated to Bambara groundnut foliar diseases in Burkina Faso. J Appl Biosci 2019, 133, 13574-83.

This study aims to update the database of fungi associated to Bambara groundnut foliar diseases in Burkina Faso using both molecular and morphological identification approaches. In this study, molecular approach based on the sequencing of ITS (Internal Transcripted Spacer) region of fungi and morphological approach were used to identify the main fungi associated to Bambara groundnut foliar diseases. The study was performed with universal polymerase chain reaction (PCR) primer ITS1/ITS4. BlastN comparisons between 19 fungal isolates contigs of the 16 major fungi were produced by their DNA sequences assembly and GenBank sequences yielded identity scores of 99 to 100 % with all of them. The degrees of similarity between these contigs and the loci sequences of classified fungi in GenBank indicate that our fungal isolates are the same species with those in Genbank, particularly the first of the list show after the blastN. It is the first report of molecular characterization of the main fungi infecting Bambara groundnut in Burkina Faso. Nineteen fungi associated to Bambara groundnut foliar diseases were identified and can be taken as targets in varietal improvement of Bambara groundnut for resistance to fungal diseases in Burkina Faso.

2 illus, 3 tables, 24 ref

005249   DAOUDA K, MODESTE K K, OULO N A, EDMOND K K (Félix Houphouët-Boigny Univ, Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoir, Email: konemorondo@hotmail.fr) : Induction of somatic embryos of recalcitrant genotypes of Theobroma cacao L. J Appl Biosci 2019, 133, 13552-60.

In cocoa tree (Theobroma cacao L.), some elite genotypes have shown, in standard study conditions, an absence or a very weak response to induction of somatic embryos. This is the case of the original C8 genotype Trinidad. This study aims to improve the production of somatic embryos in this genotype. To do this, staminodes and petals excised from immature buds of genotypes C1, C8 and C14 were used. Genotypes C1 and C14 are embryogenic under standard conditions. These floral explants were cultured on induction media differing by the type and concentration of auxins. Callus induction obtained in the three studied genotypes ranged from 80 % to 90 % with the petal explants and from 70 % to 80 % with the staminodes regardless of the type and concentration of auxins. Transfer of callogenic explants to DKW (Driver & Kuniyuki, 1984) medium supplemented with sucrose and glucose allowed the induction of somatic embryos at mean rates varying from 5 % to 20 % after only 84 days with petal explants and media supplemented with 2,4-dichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4-D) and 2, 4, 5-trichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2,4,5-T). No induction of somatic embryos was observed on the control medium with the C1, C8 and C14 genotypes. The C1 genotype induced somatic embryos in the presence of all concentrations of auxins. The highest rate of embryogenic callus and somatic embryo induction was obtained with 18 μM of 2, 4, 5-T in all C1 genotypes (39.29 ± 0.28; 17.98 ± 0.10), C8 (36.29 % ± 0.26 and 15.01 ± 0.07) and C14 (33.92 % ± 0.26 and 14.50 ± 0.16). The 2, 4, 5-trichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2, 4, 5-T). at 18 μM is the most appropriate auxin to remove recalcitrance in cocoa genotype C8. The use of higher 18 μM concentrations of 2, 4, 5-trichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2, 4, 5-T). and its application to other recalcitrant genotypes could confirm its beneficial effect on the removal of recalcitrance to somatic embryogenesis in cocoa. 18 μM concentration of 2, 4, 5-trichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2, 4, 5-T) gave the best percentage of embryogenic explants and the highest average number of embryos in the three genotypes tested. Therefore, this protocol using 18 μM of 2, 4, 5-trichlorophenoxyacetic acid (2, 4, 5- T) could be used to overcome recalcitrance to somatic embryogenesis in cocoa.

2 illus, 2 tables, 33 ref

005293   MUTLEN M, NLOGA A M N, BUM E N (Aquaculture Dep, Douala Yabassi Univ, Douala -Cameroun, Email: melvinanselme@yahoo.fr) : Effet comparé des extraits de Nauclea latifolia Sm et Tribulus terrestris (Linn., 1753) sur les paramètres zootechniques de croissance et la masculinisations induites des larves du Tilapia du Nil Oreochromis niloticus (Linn., 1758). J Appl Biosci 2019, 133, 13487-503.

The present study realized in a fish farm in the Central Region of Cameroon aimed to examine the prospect utilization of Nauclea latifolia (African Peach tree) and Tribulus terrestris (Puncture vine) extracts as a sex reversal agent in Oreochromis niloticus (Linnaeus, 1758) as an alternative route to the use of synthetic hormones. 7500 Oreochromis niloticus larvae of 11 dpf were randomly distributed in 36 happas arranged in an onshore pond of approximately 10 x 20 m² and fed with 10 experimental diets, formulated from a control diet to contain crude extract of Tribulus terrestris at doses of 1, 1.5; 2; 2.5; 3.0 g per kg of a basal feed and Nauclea latifolia at doses of 40, 80, 120, 160 and 200 mg per kg of a basal feed. At 90 day post fertilization, the zootechnical growth parameters were evaluated and the phenotypic sex was determined by the gonad squash method as described by Guerrero & Selton (1974). The results obtained show that the dose of 200 mg / kg of a basal feed of Nauclea latifolia extract and that 2.5 g / kg of Tribulus terrestris resulted in a significant sex ratio deviation in favor of males compared to the other extracts applied. Considering the masculinization rates obtained are respectively average rates of 92 ± 2.0 % for Nauclea latifolia and 88.33 ± 1.52 % for Tribulus terrestris. This efficient action of these two doses of extracts on induced masculinization also results in the better growth performance obtained in the batches treated at these different doses compared to the other batches treated. Indeed, TMT treatments (Methyltestosterone treatment at 60 mg / kg of feed) and T200 (Treatment at 200 mg / kg dose of Nauclea latifolia extract) showed the best growth performance of offspring compared with other treatments. (T0; T40; T80; T120; T160). ). It is the same for the offspring treated with the 2.5 g / kg dose of Tribulus terrestris extract, which therefore obtained the best growth performances compared to the other batches treated with different doses of Tribulus terrestris extracts (respectively 1.0 g / kg, 1.5 g / kg, 2.0 g / kg, 3.0 g / kg). The results of this study indicate that the two plants Nauclea latifolia and Tribulus terrestris could be used as an alternative ecological method to produce a male monosex population in Oreochromis niloticus. Results that will feed the networks of local producers to improve the production of Tilapia.

6 illus, 2 tables, 42 ref

005267   GREESHMA B C, MAHESH M (Azyme Biosciences Private Limited, Bangalore- 560 069, Email: mahesh@azymebio.com) : Biosynthesis of selenium nanoparticles from Bacillus species and its applications. J Appl Nat Sci 2019, 11(4), 810-5.

Selenium nanoparticles have been widely used in the various areas especially in medical field for its anticancer and immune modulatory properties. To reduce the toxic chemicals released by chemical process, the present work was aimed at synthesis of selenium na-noparticles  by  microbes. In  this  study,  microbes  were  isolated  from  soil samples  from different areas of Bangalore and screened for the antioxidant activity by DPPH assay. The organism with highest antioxidant activity (IC₅₀ value = 11.6 μg/mL) was identified as Bacillusspecies. Under experimental conditions, this microbe along with sodium selenite synthesised selenium nanoparticle indicated by the colour change of the medium to red-dish orange. The synthesised selenium nanoparticles were further characterised. From UV-Vis  spectrophotometry,  the  maximum  peak  was  obtained  at  266.5 nm.  The  FT-IR analysis showed peaks at different wavelengths with the maximum of 3200 cm^-1 showing the presence of alcoholic group. The shape and size of the selenium nanoparticles was also calibrated by SEM analysis as oval and 209 nm-748 nm respectively. The nanoparticles were further analysed for antimicrobial assays by well diffusion method against E. coli, S. aureus, P. aeruginosa, St. mutans and antifungal assay against the strains of C. albicans, A. niger and A. flavus. The  highest  zone  of  inhibition  was  observed  against E.coli (1.7 cm) at a concentration of 400 μg and maximum for C. albicans (2.5 cm) at a concentration  of  400 μg.  Microbial  synthesized  nanoparticles  emerges  as  a  promising medicine in curing different disorders because of its potent antioxidant and antimicrobial activity.

8 illus, 4 tables, 11 ref

005292   MURADOV P Z, SHIRINOVA G F, ASGERLI L X, ALLAHVERDIYEV E I, GASIMOV C F (Azerbaijan National Academy of Sciences, Baku, Republic of Azerbaijan, Email: article_1@mail.ru) : Species composition of fungi causıng diseases in agricultural plants in agrarian sector of Azerbaijan. J Appl Nat Sci 2019, 11(4), 785-90.

The  purpose  of  the  presented  work  was  dedicated  to  assess  the  spread  of  fungal diseases and the species composition of its creators on the plants used for food purposes in  the  agraraian  sector  of  Azerbaijan.  In  the  research  conducted  for  this  purpose,  we studied mycobiota of 20 sorts belonging to the 10 species of plants and it was indicated that in the formation of mycobiota of those plants, there was involvement of 57 species of fungi and fungi -like organisms. It was determined that the frequency of occurrence of registered fungi, as well as the prevalence of diseases caused by fungi depending on the plants,  are characterized by the different quantitative indicators. Thus, the total frequency of  occurrence  fungi  varies  between  0.02 -21.2 %.  Phytosanitary  status  was  assessed according to the degree of spread of diseases caused by fungi. It became clear that the situation today is potentially dangerous. This is also made as a necessary task to develop serious prophylactic measures.

2 tables, 14 ref

005250   DAVID T I, OKONKWO D C, ADELAKUN N S, OMOTUYI O I (Adekunle Ajasin Univ, Ondo State, Nigeria, Email: 130401064@aaua.edu.ng) : Automated QSAR and docking study of phyto-ligands of Chromolaena odorata as inhibitor of bacteria beta-lactamase enzyme. J Biol Engg Res Rev 2019, 6(2), 32-42.

Bacteria resistance to antibacterial antibiotics is made possible by the production of beta-lactamase. Beta-lactamase enzyme confers resistance by breaking open the Beta-lactam structure of antibiotics, thereby deactivating their antibacterial properties. As a result of this, attention shifted into identifying potential lead inhibitor of beta-lactamase, with ability to reduce resistance encountered in bacteria antibiotics. The computational approach was employed in the generation of QSAR model using Automated QSAR, and in the docking of ligands from Chromolaena odorata with Betalactamase. The best model obtained was KPLS_Dendritic_43 (R² = 0.8564 and Q²=0.7819), and was used in predicting the bioactivity of the lead compounds. Docking study revealed that the ligands bind with a higher binding score than co-crystallized ligand and other standard drug employed in this study. Tianshic acid and chromomorate recorded binding energy of -9.305 and -7.989 respectively. The drug-like properties of the ligands were evaluated using the Lipinski rule of Five, which revealed that C. odorata ligands do not only inhibit the activity of beta-lactamase, but the ligands are also druglike. Therefore, further studies are needed to adequately justify the mechanism of action of these ligands as a beta-lactamase inhibitor.

4 illus, 5 tables, 54 ref

005300   PANDEY V, RANI A, DUBEY P K (Banaras Hindu Univ, Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh, Email: pkdubey@bhu.ac.in) : Uterine fibroid: Isolation, culture and characterization. J Biol Engg Res Rev 2019, 6(2), 27-31.

Present study was carried out to establish uterine fibroid primary culture system for screening of natural/synthetic compounds against uterine fibroid. For in vitro culture, enzymatic isolation method was used. To characterize, histochemistry (H & E, Masson’s Trichrome and Periodic Acid Schiff) staining and immunocytochemistry using marker antibodies (Versican) were performed in vitro. Uterine fibroid tissue showed much intense staining of Masson’s Trichrome and Periodic Acid Schiff stain as compared to adjacent myometrium tissue. The primary cultured cells showed significantly higher proliferation, sub-culture efficiency and expression of Versican protein. In conclusion, our results suggest that in vitro cultured uterine fibroid cells may offer a suitable alternative model to evaluate natural or synthetic compounds having antitumor properties for uterine fibroid treatment.

2 illus, 16 ref

005251   DAVID T I, OMOTUYI O I, AGBOOLA O D, OKONKWO D C, ADELAKUN N S (Biochemistry Dep, Adekunle Ajasin Univ, Ondo State, Nigeria, Email: 130401064@aaua.edu.ng) : Identification of Gly/nmda receptor antagonist from Chromolaena odorata’s derived compounds using induced fit docking and ADME study. J Biol Engg Res Rev 2019, 6(2), 19-26.

The ionotropic activation of N-methyl-D-aspartic acid (NMDA) plays a significant role in different type of neurodegenerative disease, as it is a tetramer with two Glycine binding subunit and two glutamate subunits. NMDA receptor can be inhibited by either blocking of the glycine site or glutamate site. Previously reported inhibitors of NMDA receptor focus on the inhibition of the glutamate subunit, which was reported to be associated with side effects such as ataxia, memory deficits, and neurotoxicity. Therefore, different compounds with antagonistic effect are been explored on Gly/NMDA site. Glide XP docking was employed in screening phytoconstituent of Chromolaena odorata against Gly/NMDA receptor for hit compounds with antagonistic properties. The hit compounds were further subjected to Induced fit docking (IFD) and Lipinski rule of five. The final selection was based on Rigid XP docking score using co-crystallized ligand as threshold docking score, interaction with receptor site residues, and IFD score. Ferulic acid, caffeic acid and scutellarein recorded binding affinity of -8.752 Kcal/mol, 10.004 Kcal/mol and -9.096 Kcal/mol respectively, which is higher than the binding affinity of co-crystallized ligand. Induced fit score obtained were -614.38, -614.03 and -616.31 for ferulic acid, caffeic acid and scutellarein respectively. The result obtained in this study shows the potency of phytochemical from C. odorata to inhibit NMDA receptor. ADME study showed that the drug-like nature of these compounds.

2 illus, 1 table, 44 ref

005328   SINGH A, RAI A K, TRIPATHI G D, NAND V, GUPTA N, SRIVASTAVA K (Sri Ramswaroop Memorial Univ, Barabanki, Uttar Pradesh, Email: anupam4uk@gmail.com) : Development of species-specific polymerase chain reaction (PCR) targeting on mitochondrial D-loop for identification of buffalo and goat raw meat. J Biol Engg Res Rev 2019, 6(2), 1-4.

Today's, consumers are concerned about the meat they eat and also demand accurate labeling. Mitochondrial Analysis of DNA was the most frequently used DNA, because of its highly conserved sequences in various organism species. In this study, a rapid, reproducible and simple method for simultaneous identification of multiple meat species in a single step mitochondrial DNA based test has been developed based on the designing of species-specific primer. Meat samples of goat and buffalo were selected to verify the applicability of the technique. A species specific forward and reverse primer was designed with the help of the primer3 tool for amplification of mitochondrial D-loop region. The species-specific primers were verified in silico by SnapGene software. The two pairs of primers amplified the expected fragment of 338 bp for buffalo and 450 bp for goat. The change in the size of the PCR product was due to the existence of highly polymorphic regions within the buffalo and goat D-loop region. The tested species gives a unique band pattern for each species by using successful amplification of these polymorphic regions in the D-loop region. Overall, the simplicity of amplification of mitochondrial D-loop region could make this technique suitable for meat authentication in routine analysis.

4 illus, 1 table, 15 ref

005239   AWANG-JAMIL Z, BASRI A M, AHMAD N, TAHA H (Brunei Darussalam Univ, Gadong, Brunei, Email: hussein.taha@ubd.edu.bn) : Phytochemical analysis, antimicrobial and antioxidant activities of Aidia borneensis leaf extracts. J Appl Biol Biotechnol 2019, 7(5), 92-7.

Pharmacological evaluation of Aidia borneensis has not been widely reported yet. This study aimed to evaluate its phytochemical constituents and its antimicrobial and antioxidant activities. Phytochemical compositions of Soxhlet-extracted methanol extract and ultrasonic-extracted aqueous extract were determined by gas chromatography mass spectrometry analysis. Antibacterial and antifungal activities were evaluated by the agar-well diffusion method, and antioxidant activities were determined by 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl radical scavenging assay. Methanol extract was predominantly characterized by coumaran (21.12 %) and palmitic acid (6.34 %), and aqueous extract by catechol (15.48 %) and coumaran (9.13 %). Concentration dependent antibacterial activities of methanol extract were observed against Bacillus subtilis, Escherichia coli, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, and Staphylococcus aureus, whereas aqueous extract only showed a growthinhibiting effect against E. coli. Methanol extract also exhibited antifungal activities against Candida albicans and Saccharomyces cerevisiae but not against Aspergillus brasiliensis. No antifungal activity was shown by the aqueous extract. Aqueous extract revealed significantly higher radical scavenging activity, hence, low IC₅₀ value (6.0 µg/ml), compared to methanol extract (14.6 µg/ml) and the reference standard, Trolox (9.1 µg/ml). This study provides scientific support on the medicinal properties of A. borneensis in terms of its phytochemical constituents and its antimicrobial and antioxidant activities.

3 illus, 1 table, 27 ref

005321   SAMAL P, TRIPATHY P, DAS R, SAHOO S L, PRADHAN C, PADHI B K, ROUT J R (AIPH Univ, Bhubaneswar, Odisha, Email: routjr@aiph.ac.in) : Vibriocidal activity of leaf and rhizome extracts of Maranta arundinacea L. J Appl Biol Biotechnol 2019, 7(5), 79-82.

Globally, the gastroenteritis or diarrhoea has become a more significant problem today due to infection caused by water-or foodborne pathogen Vibrio cholera. In this concern, an investigation was carried out to evaluate the vibriocidal potential of the different solvent extracts of leaf and rhizome of Maranta arundinacea under in vitro condition. For this, aqueous, methanolic, ethanolic, and hexane extracts of both leaf and rhizome of M. arundinacea were tested against the pre-isolated strains of V. cholerae, such as SPAB1, SPAB4, and SPAB5 by agar well diffusion and minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) method. All the solvent extracts of both leaf and rhizome were found to be active against the tried strains of V. cholera; however, ethanolic extract showed maximum inhibitory effect against SPAB1 strain with an inhibition zone of 26.23 ± 0.53 mm (MIC of 80.00 ± 10.06 µg/ml) and 24.27 ± 0.12 mm (MIC of 100.00 ± 12.82 µg/ ml) in rhizome and leaf samples, respectively. Then, the effectiveness was followed in SPAB4 and SPAB5; however, it was not much more significant to that of SPAB1. Therefore, it was suggested that the rhizome and leaf extracts which proved to be potentially effective can be used as the natural alternative for the treatment of diarrhoea caused by Vibrio infection.

2 illus, 2 tables, 31 ref

005256   EL-TAYEB M A, IBRAHIM A S S, MAANY D A, ELBADAWI Y B, AL-SALAMAH A A (Chemistry of Natural and Microbial Products Dep, National Research Center, Cairo, Egypt, Email: nsalah1973@yahoo.com) : Detection of virulence genes and investigation of the immunogenicity of outer membrane proteins of Salmonella enterica. J Appl Biol Biotechnol 2019, 7(5), 62-73.

Salmonella enterica is one of the most important food-borne pathogens, causing a variety of diseases in humans and animals. This study aimed to detect the virulence genes in 33 S. enterica strains isolated from patients and to investigate the immunogenicity of the outer membrane proteins (OMPs) of S. enterica serovar Typhimurium. The aggregative fimbriae (agfA) gene was detected in all S. enterica isolates except one strain, Salmonella Paratyphi C strain SA7. In addition, 81.8 % of the isolates harbored the sefC gene (fimbrial protein). However, all of the tested S. enterica isolates possessed the fimA, hilA, invA, stn, and misL virulence genes, regardless of serovar. The predominant OMPs of S. enterica Typhimurium SA₃ identified by 12 % sodium dodecyl sulfatePolyacrylamide Gel Electrophoresis (PAGE) were used as eliciting antigens in the experimental mice. The results of the protection studies indicated that the selected OMPs conferred varying degrees of protection. However, the highest protection was observed using the 38-kDa OMP, which provided 100% protection to mice challenged with 50× LD₅₀ of Salmonella Typhimurium SA₃ and 75 % protection to mice subjected to an even higher bacterial challenge of 100× LD₅₀. The humoral response in mice caused by the 38-kDa OMP was confirmed using an immunodiffusion assay. This 38-kDa OMP is a promising candidate for the vaccine development against S. enterica Typhimurium. Further research on the protein structure was recommended.

7 illus, 2 tables, 35 ref

005284   MAHESHWARI R, BHUTANI N, SUNEJA P (Microbiology Dep, Maharshi Dayanand Univ, Rohtak-124 001, Email: poojapavit@gmail.com) : Screening and characterization of siderophore producing endophytic bacteria from Cicer arietinum and Pisum sativum plants. J Appl Biol Biotechnol 2019, 7(5), 7-14.

Siderophores are low molecular weight iron chelating secondary metabolites synthesized by various groups of microorganisms help in scavenging iron-limited conditions. Siderophores produced by endophytic bacteria facilitate the plant growth by providing iron to plants. The objective of this study was to isolate and screen the siderophore producing endophytes from nodules and roots of Cicer arietinum and Pisum sativum plants. Out of total 84 isolates, only 14 endophytes produced siderophore and quantitative analysis was also done. Ten best siderophore producers (above 65% siderophore units) were characterized for the type of siderophore produced. Most of them were producing hydroxamate and carboxylate type of siderophores. These 10 isolates were evaluated for other plant growth promoting (PGP) traits in vitro. All of them were producing ammonia and indole-3-acetic acid (IAA). Isolate CPFR10 was found to be positive for all the PGP traits viz. ammonia, organic acid, HCN, and IAA production. Diversity analysis of these 10 isolates using Amplified rDNA Restriction Analysis profile revealed nine genotypes at 90% similarity.

3 illus, 3 tables, 52 ref

005308   PURWANINGRUM M, NUGROHO H A, ASVAN M, KARYANTI K, ALVIYANTO B, KUSUMA R, HARYANTO A (Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Dep, Gadjah Mada Univ, Yogyakarta- 55281, Email: arisharyanto@ugm.ac.id) : Molecular techniques for sex identification of captive birds. Vet World 2019, 12(9), 1506-13.

Many avian species are considered sexually monomorphic. In monomorphic bird species, especially in young birds, sex is difficult to identify based on an analysis of their external morphology. Accurate sex identification is essential for avian captive breeding and evolutionary studies. Methods with varying degrees of invasiveness such as vent sexing, laparoscopic surgery, steroid sexing, and chromosome inspection (karyotyping) are used for sex identification in monomorphic birds. This study aimed to assess the utility of a non-invasive molecular marker for gender identification in a variety of captive monomorphic birds, as a strategy for conservation. DNA was isolated from feather samples from 52 individuals representing 16 species of 11 families indigenous to both Indonesia and elsewhere. We amplified the chromodomain helicase DNA-binding (CHD) gene using polymerase chain reaction with MP, NP, and PF primers to amplify introns with lengths that differ between the CHD-W and the CHD-Z genes, allowing sex discrimination because the W chromosome is exclusively present in females. Molecular bird sexing confirmed 33 females and 19 males with 100% accuracy. We used sequencing followed by alignment on one protected bird species (Probosciger aterrimus). Sex identification may be accomplished noninvasively in birds, because males only have Z sex chromosomes, whereas females have both Z and W chromosomes. Consequently, the presence of a W-unique DNA sequence identifies an individual as female. Sexing of birds is vital for scientific research, and to increase the success rate of conservation breeding programs.

7 illus, 6 tables, 60 ref

005336   TANSAKUL N, RATTANASRISOMPORN J, ROYTRAKUL S (Veterinary Pharmacology and Toxicology Dep, Kasetsart Univ, Bangkok, Thailand, Email: natthasitt@yahoo.com) : Proteomics analysis of serum protein patterns in duck during aflatoxin B1 exposure. Vet World 2019, 12(9), 1499-1505.

Unlike the already well-documented human serum proteome, there are still limitations regarding analyzing and interpreting the various physiological changes and disease states of the serum proteomes found in duck. Serum proteome in duck under the condition of mycotoxin contamination in feed has not yet been examined. This study aimed to introduce the characterization of the circulating proteomes in duck serum during exposure to aflatoxin B1 (AFB1). Duck serum samples were collected from four experimental groups, gel-based mass spectrometry was then applied, and finally, 445 proteins were identified in pulled serum sample. Among these 445 proteins, 377 were present in at least one group from all. There were 35 proteins which were expressed when the duck was exposed to AFB1. The protein library that allows the identification of a large number of different proteins in duck serum will be enhanced by the addition of these peptide spectral data. It is noteworthy that chromodomain-helicase-DNA-binding protein 7 (CHD7) [Gallus gallus] was up-regulated in the group with the highest AFB1 contamination. CHD7 protein might be somehow relative to aflatoxicosis in the duck that causes poor performance and economic loss. Moreover, other proteins present in duck serum were also added in the protein library. 

4 illus, 19 ref

005343   WIRAWATI V, WIRAWATI V, WIDIATI N D A, GUNAWAN G, SARAGIH G R, HENING P, WIHADMADYATAMI H (Anatomy Dep, Gadjah Univ, Yogyakarta- 55281, Email: heviwihadmadyatami@ugm.ac.id) : The distribution of serotonergic nerve on the hippocampus of the fruit bats (Rousettus amplexicaudatus). Vet World 2019, 12(9), 1460-6.

Rousettus amplexicaudatus is one of the old world fruit bats, commonly known in Javanese word as codot belongs to order Chiroptera and suborder Megachiroptera. R. amplexicaudatus possessed an outstanding visual ability, which helps in the process of searching for food. Those activities process and save within the brain involving the learning and memory activities. Learning and memory activities are centered around the hippocampus with the help of serotonergic nerve. This study conducted to identify the morphology and distribution of serotonergic nerve (5-hydroxytryptamine) in the hippocampus of R. amplexicaudatus, which related to the function of serotonin within the learning and memory process. Five R. amplexicaudatus bats were brought from Gunung Kidul cave, Yogyakarta, Java Island, Indonesia. The bats were anesthetized using ketamine and xylazine. R. amplexicaudatus then perfused intracardially. The brain samples were collected processed into paraffin block, and a further cut in 8 µm thickness serially. The tissue slides were stained using hematoxylin-eosin, cresyl echt violet, and immunohistochemistry with rabbit’s anti-serotonin (1:200). The results observed and analyzed quantitatively and qualitatively using image J (https://imagej.nih.gov/ij/) (Bethesda, Maryland, USA) and GraphPad Prism 7 (La Jolla, CA, USA). The hippocampus of R. amplexicaudatus composed of the dentate gyrus (DG), hippocampus proper (cornu ammonis 3 [CA3], and CA1 as the main area for learning memory), and subiculum. On the DG serotonin immunoreactive cells found within the granular layer (132 ± 35.03 cells/mm² ), polymorphic stratum (86.33 ± 11.23 cells/mm² ), and molecular layer (93 ± 1 cells/mm² ). Meanwhile, on CA3 area, the immunoreactive cells for serotonin found in each stratum. The number of immunoreactive cells on each stratum from highest to the lowest are stratum pyramidal 123.33±15.88 cell/mm² , stratum molecular 63±13.11 cell/mm2 , stratum lucidum 62.67±8.08 cell/mm² , stratum radiatum 55.33 ± 510.21 cell/mm² , stratum oriens 48 ± 3.46 cell/mm² , and stratum alveus 28.67 ± 2.52 cell/mm² . In addition, in CA1 also hampers the immunoreactive cells in the pyramidal stratum, molecular, lucidum, oriens, radiatum, and alveus layer, respectively, of each 91 ± 27.40 cell/mm² , 60.33 ± 20.65 cell/mm² , 53.67 ± 4.51 cell/mm² 44.33 ± 10.40 cell/mm² , 41.33 ± 5.51 cell/mm² , and 27 ± 4 cell/mm². Taking together the distribution of serotonin-immunoreactive cells in the hippocampus of R. amplexicaudatus mostly found on CA3 followed by CA 1 and DG.

9 illus, 20 ref

005234   AL-BADRI A M, BARGOOTH A F, AL-JEBORI J G, ZEGYER E A K (Biology Dep, Wasit Univ, Wasit, Iraq, Email: ahmedalmyahi@yahoo.com) : Identification of carbon nanotube particles in liver tissue and its effects on apoptosis of birds exposed to air pollution. Vet World 2019, 12(9), 1372-7.

This study aimed to distinguish carbon nanotube (CNT) particles and their pathological effects on the liver of birds in areas with carbon emissions. Twenty-one domestic ducks were collected from pure farmers and exposed to different sources of air pollution. Histological stains were used to detect the accumulation of carbon particles. In addition, acridine orange/ ethidium bromide staining was used to detect apoptosis, and scanning electron microscope (SEM) technique was used to determine the morphological design of carbon particles. Light microscope results showed that the liver sections contain multiwalled CNTs (MWCNTs) which appear as black spots in the hepatic parenchyma. The histopathological changes of parenchyma include sinusoidal dilatation, infiltration, and congestion with frequently high number of macrophages. In general, early destruction of hepatic parenchyma was observed. Moreover, SEM results showed two morphological types of CNTs: The ball-shaped nanoparticles scattered as ultrafine carbon black and fiber form of carbon particles were recognized as MWCNTs in the hepatic tissue. Fluorescence microscopy results showed the early and progressive stages of apoptosis in the hepatic cells of birds in polluted areas, which can be related to the degree and exposure period to pollutants. The study indicates that liver morbidity of birds living in the farms affected by the pollution of brick factories is higher than the birds living in farms affected by the pollution of oil fields. 

10 illus, 1 table, 31 ref

005273   JAIN D, DHURIA R K, SHARMA T, BOTHRA T, KUMAR M (Animal Nutrition Dep, Rajasthan Univ of Veterinary and Animal Nutrition, Bikaner- 334 001, Email: ddineshvet@gmail.com) : Effect of supplementation of Tinospora cordifolia (at graded levels) and ascorbic acid either alone or in combinations on haemoglobin and erythrogram of broiler chickens. Vet Pract 2019, 20(2), 264-6.

The present study was carried out to investigate the effect of Tinospora cordifolia (at graded levels) or ascorbic acid alone and in combinations on haemoglobin, PCV and TEC using 360 one day old broiler chicks in 5×2 factorial experiment within a completely randomized design and divided into ten dietary treatments groups (T₁ -T₁₀) in triplicate of 12 chicks per replicate. Diets included: T₁ -basal diet with no supplementation; T₂ -basal diet supplemented with 0.25 % Tinospora cordifolia; T₃ -basal diet supplemented with 0.50 % Tinospora cordifolia; T₄ -basal diet supplemented with 0.75 % Tinospora cordifolia; T₅ -basal diet supplemented with 1.0 % Tinospora cordifolia; T₆ -basal diet supplemented with 0.025 % ascorbic acid; T₇ -basal diet supplemented with 0.25 % Tinospora cordifolia plus 0.025 % ascorbic acid; T₈ -basal diet supplemented with 0.50 % Tinospora cordifolia plus 0.025 % ascorbic acid; T₉ -basal diet supplemented with 0.75 % Tinospora cordifolia plus 0.025 % ascorbic acid and T₁₀-basal diet supplemented with 1.0 % Tinospora cordifolia plus 0.025 % ascorbic acid. A 42 days feeding trial was carried out from Sep. 13, 2016 to Oct. 24, 2016 at the Experimental Poultry Unit, located in poultry farm of College of Veterinary and Animal Science, Bikaner. The average temperature (31 ^oC) during the study period was higher than the recommended normothermia zone i.e. 18-24 °C established for poultry, which indicated that birds were in chronic heat stress. Chronic heat stress in present study influenced significant (P<0.01) decrease in haemoglobin, PCV and TEC in control group as compared to various treatment groups. Improvement in haematological parameters of broilers was observed due to supplementation of ascorbic acid or Tinospora cordifolia (Geloi) alone and in combinations. Supplementation of ascorbic acid or Tinospora cordifolia (Geloi) may be of profound effect on haemopoetic system of fast growing broilers during chronic heat stress.

1 illus, 1 table, 14 ref

005286   MARWAHA S, SINGH A P, KACHHAWA J P, GAUR A, SHARMA P, CHAHAR A (Clinical Veterinary Medicine Dep, Rajasthan Univ of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Bikaner- 334 001, Email: marwahasumnil828@gmail.com) : Study of therapeutic potential of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of Piper nigrum in subclinical mastitis in cattle. Vet Pract 2019, 20(2), 260-3.

The aim of present investigation was to evaluate the therapeutic potential of aqueous and ethanolic extracts of Piper nigrum in subclinical mastitis in cattle. In present study, 12 subclinical mastitis affected cows were grouped in 2 groups of six cows each viz., group I cows were administered with aqueous extract of Piper nigrum @ 200 mg/kg body weight daily for 7 days and group II cows were administered orally daily with alcoholic extract of Piper nigrum @ 200 mg/kg body weight for 7 days. Pre-treatment and post treatment milk samples were analyzed for various tests. In group I, there was significant decrease in somatic cell count, pH and electrical conductivity between the pre-treatment and post-treatment samples. There was no significant change in fat percent and protein per cent but the lactose percent and SNF per cent were significantly increased. In group II, there was significant decrease in somatic cell count, pH and electrical conductivity between the pre-treatment and post-treatment samples. There was no significant change in fat per cent but the protein percent, lactose per cent and SNF percent were significantly increased. The bacteriological cure rate for group I and group II were 50 % and 60 %, respectively

4 tables, 33 ref

005260   GALAV A, MAHERCHANDANI S, GALAV V, DADHICH A (Veterinary Microbiology and Biotechnology Dep, Rajasthan Univ of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Rajasthan- 334 001, Email: dralka.vet@gmail.com) : Molecular basis of attenuation in recently circulating PPRV in Rajasthan. Vet Pract 2019, 20(2), 240-3.

The Genomic and Antigenomic Promoter (GP and AGP) regions of peste des petits ruminants virus (PPRV) are composed of 107 bp and 109 bp, respectively. They play crucial role in replication and transcription of PPRV genome and in its pathogenesis. We attempted amplification of GP and AGP of PPRV from different field samples of sheep and goat origin, using 3’ and 5’ RACE PCR. The GP region was successfully amplified though, we could not amplify AGP region of the field isolate probably due to fast degradation of terminal region of RNA genome. Subsequently, amplicons were sequenced and compared with corresponding sequences of standard PPR vaccine strain (PPRV/Sungri96 strain) to identify potential base substitutions. The Multiple Sequence Alignment (MSA) of the GP region of vaccine strain PPRV/Sungri/96 (KJ867542.1), PPRV isolates (Bikaner-Khajuwala: Sheep origin and Hanumangarh-Nohar: Goat origin) from field samples and published sequences of Indian/PPRV strains (KX033350.1, KT270355.1, KT860063.1 KT860064.1 and KT860065.1) were undertaken by Clustal W in MEGA7. On comparative evaluation with the PPRV/Sungri/96, 4 base substitutions were observed in it; these were at position 5 (A & gt; G), 24 (A & gt; C), 47 (A & gt; G) and 102 (C & gt; T) in GP region. We hypothesized that base mutations found in the genomic promoter regions may be associated with attenuating properties of PPRV vaccine strain.

2 illus, 1 table, 30 ref

005243   BHAT I H, DEVI J, SARMA K (Veterinary Physiology and Biochemistry Div, Sher-e-Kashmir Univ of Agricultural Science and Technology, R.S.Pura- 181 102, Email: devi.jonali@yahoo.com) : Serum cholesterol profile and mineral concentrations in Toggenberg goat during lactation. Vet Pract 2019, 20(2), 207-9.

The investigation was undertaken to study cholesterol profile and some mineral profile during different stages in different lactations in Toggenberg goats. The study included control group, consisting of dry goats and group I, II, III and IV containing goats in 1^st, 2^nd, 3^rd and 4^th lactation period. Further each lactation period was divided into early, mid and late stages. Blood samples were collected at one month interval in all the groups. Samples collected in first two months was considered as early stage, 3^rd and 4th months are considered as mid and 5^th and 6th months as late lactation stage. Samples were analyzed for different parameters by using analytical kits. Significantly lower (P<0.05) concentrations of total, HDL and LDL cholesterol were observed in mid lactation as compared to early and late stages. When compared to control group, significantly lower (P<0.05) concentrations of total, HDL and LDL cholesterol were observed during different lactation periods. A definite increase of calcium concentrations from early to late lactational stages were observed in all the lactational groups of Toggenberg goats. Significantly (P<0.05) lower calcium concentrations were observed in lactating goats as compared to dry Toggenberg goats. However, phosphorus levels were found significantly lower (P<0.05) in first lactation as compared to other groups. The values were recorded as 4.81 ± 0.13 mg/dl in group I and 5.23 ± 0.11, 5.47 ± 0.15 and 5.01 ± 0.14 mg/dl in group II, III and IV, respectively. The lactation period was more stressful than the dry period. Among different stages of lactation, early and mid stages are more stressful when compared to late stage.

4 illus, 23 ref

005265   GOTTAM G S, KATARIA N (Veterinary Physiology Dep, Rajasthan Univ of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Bikaner- 334 001) : Perusal of varying environmental conditions versus physiological cadence in Pugal sheep from arid tracts subsuming serum cortisol and glutathione status. Vet Pract 2019, 20(2), 204-6.

The study was conducted to evaluate the impact of varying environmental conditions on a tropical breed of sheep i.e. Pugal sheep found in Semi Arid areas around Bikaner. In present study, effect of various environmental condition on stress parameters i.e. cortisol, glutathione were estimated in Pugal breed of sheep. Though some information is available on stress parameters but data regarding straess parameters in different seasons (hot, rainy and cold) on Pugal breed of sheep is very scanty. Serum cortisol was higher during hot season and highest during hot humid or rainy season and low during cold season. The glutathione levels were lowest during the rainy season indicating lowest antioxidant status due to higher stress of heat and humidity together. It was concluded that Pugal sheep was under severe stress during hot humid or rainy season and comfortable during cold season.

2 tables, 20 ref

005313   RATHORE A, DADHICH R, PUROHIT K, SHARMA S K, VAISHNAVA C S, JOSEPH B, KHATRI A (Veterinary Pathology Dep, Rajasthan Univ of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Bikaner- 334 001, Email: anni_vet11@rediffmail.com) : Biochemical effect of induced sub acute toxicity of Parthenium hysterophorus L. and its amelioration with Prosopis cineraria (L.) druce leaves in Wistar albino rats. Vet Pract 2019, 20(2), 188-90.

An ameliorative effect of Prosopis cineraria leaves on biochemical parameters against induced sub acute toxicity of Parthenium hysterophorus L. in Wistar albino rats was studied. A total of eighty clinically healthy adult albino rats between 2 and 3 months of age of either sex were divided in eight experimental groups each comprising of ten rats. Parthenium toxicity was induced by oral feeding of ethanolic extract of Parthenium at 150, 300 and 450 mg/kg body weight in group II, III and IV, respectively for 28 days. Group V, VI and VII were fed with ethanolic extract of Parthenium at 150, 300 and 450 mg/kg body along with 200 mg/kg body weight of methanolic extract of leaves of Prosopis cineraria. Group I served as control while group VIII was kept as treatment control and fed only methanolic extract of leaves of Prosopis cineraria at 200 mg/kg body weight. The treated rats showed a significant (P<0.05) increase in alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate transaminase (AST), alkaline phosphate (ALP), serum creatinine and serum urea level receiving the different dose of parthenium which indicated a deleterious effect of parthenium on liver cells. Significant reduction of serum total protein was observed in group II, III and IV. Prosopis cineraria could restore the above in group treated with Parthenium at low dose level.

1 table, 27 ref

005301   PANWAR R, KUMAR R, BASANT, GAHLOT K, PURVA M, MAHERCHANDANI S (Veterinary Microbiology and Biotechnology Dep, Rajasthan Univ of Veterinary and Animal Sciences, Bikaner- 334 001, Email: smchandani86@gmail.com) : Effect of a novel antimicrobial peptide (KK-20) in combination with antibiotics on Pseudomonas aeruginosa. Vet Pract 2019, 20(2), 147-9.

In the present study a novel antimicrobial peptide identified from β defensin of Tharparkar breed of cattle in our laboratory was studied for its efficacy in combination with two antibiotics (Gentamicin and Ceftazidime) on Pseudomonas aeruginosa isolates. Both the antibiotics in combination with KK-20 gave a synergistic effect against Pseudomonas aeruginosa, however the extent of the effect varied with both the antibiotics. KK-20 in combination with Ceftazidime, was highly effective against both planktonic and biofilm form of bacteria where as in combination with the Gentamicin it showed synergistic effect only against planktonic form as there was reduction in minimal inhibitory concentraton.

2 illus, 29 ref

005296   OYETAYO F L, OKOMOLAFE S F, ODENIYI I A (Biochemistry Dep, Ekiti State Univ, Ado Ekiti, Nigeria) : Effects of dietary supplementation of Chrysophyllum albidum fruit pulp powder on some biochemical parameters in a type 2 diabetes rat model. Vegetos 2019, 32(2), 190–9.

Chrysophyllum albidum (C. albidum) is an indigenous fruit, found predominantly in African countries. The fleshy pulp of the fruit is widely consumed by the populace and used in folklore for diabetes management. The present study was carried out to assess the effects of dietary supplementation of Chrysophyllum albidum fruit pulp powder (CAPP) on biochemical parameters in a type 2 diabetes rat model, induced by a combination of high-fat diet and low-dose streptozotocin (35 mg kg ⁻¹) for 14 days. Diabetic rats were placed on dietary regimen containing 5–10% Chrysophyllum albidum fruit pulp powder (CAPP) supplemented diet. The results revealed that there was no significant (P > 0.05) difference in the average feed intake and weight changes between the rat groups. Furthermore, supplementation with CAPP gradually reduced blood glucose level in diabetic rat compared to control diabetic rats without CAPP supplementation. Moreover, reduced activities of α-amylase and α-glucosidase were observed in CAPP and metformin-treated rat groups when compared to control diabetic rats without CAPP supplementation. In addition, CAPP showed significantly (P < 0.05) elevated levels of antioxidant status (reduced glutathione, superoxide dismutase, catalase, glutathione peroxidase and glutathione-S-transferase) while significantly (P < 0.05) reduced malondialdehyde level. Histologically, a pale stained cellular architecture in pancreas depicting an atrophy and decreased size of islet of Langerhans were observed in control diabetic rats without CAPP supplementation while CAPP and metformin-treated rat groups showed a preserved cellular morphology with increased size of islet of Langerhans. The results suggest that the C. albidum fruit pulp diet may attenuate hyperglycemia and oxidative stress in the type 2 diabetic condition and therefore provides pharmacological basis for the folkloric use of this fruit as a therapy for the management of oxidative stress induced pathologies.

38 ref

005309   RAHEVAR P M, PATEL J N, KUMAR S, ACHARYA R R (Genetics and Plant Breeding Dep, Anand Agricultural Univ, Anand- 388 110) : Morphological, biochemical and molecular characterization for genetic variability analysis of Capsicum annuum. Vegetos 2019, 32(2), 131-41.

Chilli (Capsicum annuum L.) with immense industrial, therapeutic and export potential is an imperative vegetable and condiment crop of the globe. The genetic variability is plinth for any breeding program. To examine the variability in chilli, 58 chilli genotypes were screened for seven agronomic and five biochemical traits along with 26 SSR markers. The germplasm displayed sufficient variability for all traits at both genotypic and phenotypic levels in consort with more than 60% heritability. Green fruit yield per plant exhibited significant correlation with primary branches per plant (rg = 0.428 and rp = 0.354), fruits per plant (rg = 0.410 and rp = 0.441), single green fruit weight (rg = 0.625 and rp = 0.602), moisture (rg = 0.271 and rp = 0.227) and chlorophyll (rg = 0.382 and rp = 0.368). The path analysis also revealed fruit yield per plant was directly influenced by primary branches per plant (0.115), fruits per plant (0.435), single green fruit weight (0.763), moisture (0.137) and chlorophyll (0.233). Manhattan distance produced 5 clusters, at a limit value of 0.14, during phenotypic based clustering. A total of 73 alleles were generated from 26 SSR primers. The mean alleles per locus were 4. The polymorphic information content (mean = 0.45) confined between 0.17 (CaES4787) to 0.80 (CAMS806). Merely, three groups were generated during molecular based analysis suggesting moderate diversity in the collection. A moderate correlation (0.66) was recorded between the Manhattan’s and Nei’s distance.

51 ref

005297   PALYI G, ZUCCHI C, KURDI R (Life Sciences Dep, Modena and Reggio Emilia Univ, Via Campi-103, Email: gyula.palyi@unimore.it) : New trends in the research on biological chirality- Part II: Did life arrive to earth by meteorites?. Trends Org Chem 2019, 20, 43-51.

The present review summarizes concentrated discussions regarding the most important new results of research aimed at understanding the origins of biological chirality. After discussing the key model reaction named as asymmetric autocatalysis (Soai reaction) in Part I, here the most important aspects of possible extraterrestrial origin of biological chirality are summarized. The most decisive results in this direction have been achieved by chemical analyses of meteorite samples as well as by photochemical model reactions

1 table, 39 ref

005269   HABERAL B, SIMSEK E K, VERDI H, ATAC F B (Orthopaedics and Traumatology Dep, Baskent Univ School of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey, Email: bahtiyarhaberal@hotmail.com) : Endoplasmic reticulum stress and unfolded protein response in cartilage pathophysiology. Trends Cell Mol Biol 2019, 14, 69-76.

After encoding by the nuclear genome, all proteins are translated in the cytoplasmic free ribosomes. While some of them remain in the cytosol, others are targeted into the endoplasmic reticulum (ER). Entry into the ER and folding process must be completed correctly and checked by the quality control system in the ER. ER-resident foldases and molecular chaperones are members of the ER protein quality control system. When the activity in the protein folding system exceeds the capacity of the ER and the quantity of the incorrectly folded proteins increases, the incorrectly folded proteins begin to accumulate in the lumen of the ER. This process triggers ER stress and has a major impact on the pathogenesis of several diseases. Three major ER transmembrane stress transducers trigger adaptive gene expression cascade and restoration of the ER homeostasis. Unfolded protein response (UPR) and endoplasmic reticulum stress have a major impact on both physiological developments of cartilage tissue and pathological situations. New treatment methods can be improved by inhibition of ER stress, activation of chaperon-mediated protein folding or increasing endoplasmic reticulum-associated degradation (ERAD).

2 illus, 33 ref

005339   TRINCUCCI G, SMITH M C, MEULLER H, KANDPAL M, PERREIRA J M, SAVIDIS G, PORTMANN J M, AKER A M, JAVANBAKHT H, MCDOUGALL W M, BRASS A L (Microbiology and Physiological Systems Dep, Massachusetts Medical School Univ, MA- 01655, Email: abraham.brass@unmassmed.edu) : An RNAi screen identifies cellular requirements for the later stages of Hepatitis B virus replication. Trends Cell Mol Biol 2019, 14, 35-49.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV) is a devastating human pathogen with upwards of 250 million people chronically infected. HBV is a leading cause of end-stage liver disease (cirrhosis) and hepatocellular carcinoma. Due to the inability of current treatments to eliminate the HBV reservoir and the frequent occurrence of resistant strains, additional therapies are required. Toward this goal we sought to identify novel host factors required for HBV replication using a whole genome RNAi screen in cells constitutively infected with HBV. This screen identified 69 novel high-confidence candidates which modulate HBV replication. Of these, four were found to be required for viral transcription, BRCA1, SIRT2, YWHAH, and ZCCHC14. Moreover, YWHAH and ZCCHC14 were found to be required for the productive infection in clinical HBV isolates of both transformed cells and primary human hepatocytes. Our siRNA screen discovered several HBV host factors that contribute to productive HBV replication and thus represent potential targets for anti-HBV therapies.

5 illus, 1 table, 30 ref

005285   MAO X, LI L (Pathology Dep, Kansas medical Center Univ, KS, USA, Email: lil@stowers.org) : Roles of m⁶A RNA methylation in hematopoiesis and leukemogenesis. Trends Cell Mol Biol 2019, 14, 13-23.

Hematopoietic stem cells (HSCs), characterized as having self-renewal and multi-lineage differentiation potentials, maintain the hematopoietic system through an entire lifespan. Comprehensive understanding of how HSCs are regulated will facilitate the development of new strategies to manage hematopoietic diseases. Past decades of effort unraveled a pivotal role of epigenetic modification via DNA or histone in the regulation of HSC behaviors; however, effects of RNA modification on HSC behaviors have been largely neglected. N6-methyladenosine (m⁶A), as the most prevalent RNA modification in eukaryote, shows versatile functions in various physiological processes. Recent reports demonstrate a critical role of m⁶A mRNA methylation in the determination of HSC fate, including HSC specification during embryogenesis and HSC proliferation and differentiation in adults. Furthermore, dysregulation of m⁶A RNA methylation has been reported to be associated with leukemogenesis. Elucidation of the underlying mechanisms by which m⁶A RNA methylation regulates HSC fate and promotes leukemogenesis may provide an insight for the translation of basic discoveries into clinical practice in treating hematopoietic disorders. Here we review the recent advances in understanding the regulation of m⁶A RNA methylation in hematopoiesis and leukemogenesis.

83 ref

005332   SUBRAMANIAN S, KOLONIN M G (Univ Texas Health Sciences Centre, TX-77030, Email: mikhail.g.kolonin@uth.tmc.edu) : Adverse effects of chemotherapy on cancer progression and outcome. Trends Cancer Res 2019, 14, 23-44.

The development of novel strategies to overcome patient mortality is the primary goal of cancer research. Over the past several decades, the clinical outcome of cancer patients has seen improvements owing to the administration of chemotherapy. Despite its systemic cytotoxic effects, chemotherapy improves patient survival short-term. However, the long-term benefits of chemotherapy remain questionable. Tumor drug resistance, manifesting as cancer relapse and progression, is a significant factor that limits sustained chemotherapy effectiveness. Moreover, recent paradoxical evidence suggests that chemotherapy can adversely affect the disease prognosis. This may be not only due to side-effects of chemotherapy but also due to it directly promoting survival and metastatic dissemination of cancer cells. Here, we review the potential mechanisms by which chemotherapy may increase cancer aggressiveness. We discuss the chemotherapy-induced alterations in vital organs, in cancer cells, and the tumor microenvironment. A better understanding of the chemotherapy effects on the tumor-host interaction will aid in the development of improved strategies to intervene in cancer progression.

1 illus, 151 ref